When is the Best Timing for Bloodwork?

[celc5]

Doc, there's been a few threads on bloodwork on AM and DA that have me scratching my head. My thoughts are that precycle bloodwork is necessary for a baseline values. Post cycle bloodwork is beneficial in terms of modifying an appropriate post cycle plan. And, post-pct bloodwork would be necessary to determine if recovery was achieved.

These opinions lead me to the following questions:

1) When are the most beneficial times to have bloodwork drawn?

2) What are some considerations that we should have going into the bloodwork? ...such as post parandial cholesterol and glucose, post workout cpk, etc

3) What are common mistakes that should be avoided in terms of having bloodwork drawn at less than optimal timing? For example, I've seen bloodwork at the 3.5 week point in a superdrol cycle and the guy paniced because he was shutdown. My response is, "Well, duh!!!"

If we have some background on how to do this the right way, it could avoid a lot of unnecessary panic. Not to mention, that bloodwork questions would be less of a headache for you

[Right Hook]

Celc, what are you referring to when you say bloodwork? For example hormonal panel, lipids, liver, thyroid, or all of it?

[celc5]

Originally Posted by Travis

Celc, what are you referring to when you say bloodwork? For example hormonal panel, lipids, liver, thyroid, or all of it?

The easy response for me is ALL of it... which makes it a complex question for doc though

[broken7]

bump

[dinoiii]

Thanks broken7 for bumping this one. I didn't know I missed it.

Originally Posted by celc5

Doc, there's been a few threads on bloodwork on AM and DA that have me scratching my head. My thoughts are that precycle bloodwork is necessary for a baseline values. Post cycle bloodwork is beneficial in terms of modifying an appropriate post cycle plan. And, post-pct bloodwork would be necessary to determine if recovery was achieved.

These opinions lead me to the following questions:

1) When are the most beneficial times to have bloodwork drawn?

Sure, pre-/post #1/post #2 would be the three most beneficial times to draw blood, however, IF you were to not be able to afford all said values and could only rely on 2 of the 3, then pre-cycle and post-PCT values are most pertinent for health.

2) What are some considerations that we should have going into the bloodwork? ...such as post parandial cholesterol and glucose, post workout cpk, etc

I actually like to do blood work first thing (in other words, on an empty stomach) in the AM because many hormonal values will be thrown off (thyroid and testosterone in particular) by even the most basic of food consumption.

As for post-prandial blood glucose - while a pretty exotic measurement...its value here is likely less clear. We usually rely on fasting lipid panels and the like, but every so often a post-prandial value is of huge value to us.

As for CPK, 24-48 hours cessation from working out is needed to ensure any nominal "liver" function levels are truly from the liver and not simply muscular "trauma" secondary to the workout. This is why when you go for either a CMP (included) or LFT (namely transaminase test), you'd want to be certain to have a concurrent CPK drawn to rule out the fact that any elevation isn't coming from the muscle release of transaminase.

You are going to have to be more explicit if you want other items considered here...

3) What are common mistakes that should be avoided in terms of having bloodwork drawn at less than optimal timing? For example, I've seen bloodwork at the 3.5 week point in a superdrol cycle and the guy paniced because he was shutdown. My response is, "Well, duh!!!"

If we have some background on how to do this the right way, it could avoid a lot of unnecessary panic. Not to mention, that bloodwork questions would be less of a headache for you

Well, I am not certain I follow this one celc. Why did the guy in question have blood values drawn at 3.5 weeks and panic? We've already discussed "optimal" times and it already seems as though you were well aware that one solo blood value at 3.5 weeks was of little value as in our "wise"-friend's case.

If 2 labs are to be drawn: pre-cycle and post-PCT values are most beneficial for health.

If 3 labs are to be drawn: pre-cycle, post-cycle (pre-PCT), and post-PCT are ideal values to have drawn but this could get pricy for sure.



D_

[celc5]

Thanks doc.

Your answers were very clear

[LBVT]

Does health insurance typically cover tests for hormone levels? I'm getting a full lipid test done this coming Tuesday AM, should I ask for a hormone test as well?

[LBVT]

Doc, does one need to abstain from exercise 24-48 hours before a normal physical that covers cholesterol, lipids, and everything else?

[usf97j4x4]

Originally Posted by LBVT

Does health insurance typically cover tests for hormone levels? I'm getting a full lipid test done this coming Tuesday AM, should I ask for a hormone test as well?

FWIW I just had blood work performed. Insurance covered my lipids, cmp etc but it would not cover the hormonal (free + total test) unless I had a medical concern about it, something like low libido... loss of desire... wink wink.

[dinoiii]

Originally Posted by LBVT

Does health insurance typically cover tests for hormone levels? I'm getting a full lipid test done this coming Tuesday AM, should I ask for a hormone test as well?

This depends - you could justify getting a CMP, Lipids, etc... done every few years at your age, BUT let's say you are getting those tests done every 4 weeks (i.e. - pre and post prototypical OTC cycle), it is highly unlikely they will even be covered. In that case, getting as much done post-post-cycle (yes, I meant two "posts" that is not a typo) is probably best.

And as usf suggests, the hormonal profile would be a rough sell, but it is doable if you present your case the appropriate way many times.

Originally Posted by LBVT

Doc, does one need to abstain from exercise 24-48 hours before a normal physical that covers cholesterol, lipids, and everything else?

A CMP or anything else that covers "liver" enzymes = YES, for accurate results. OTherwise a CPK needs to be tagged on (your doctor should understand why there if you tell them you work out frequently enough).



D_